Welcome to the weekly round up of posts that you might have missed. Things are definitely getting festive around here and I hope that you will enjoy the fun.
It has been a busy week at the homestead with the new fence up and awaiting staining once the weather dries out a bit… excellent job by the workmen who stuck it out through wind, hail, pouring rain, up to the knees in mud… brilliant. Now we need to put tons of stones down for drainage all along the bottom covered by more tons of topsoil and new turf.. The last major job before we put the house on the market in the spring.
And.. I launched by new book…just in the nick of time….more details later in the post in the New Books on the Shelves..
As always a huge thank you to regular guests to the blog who have pulled out all the stops to inform and entertain us…and to you for dropping in and leaving comments and sharing the posts.
First a reminder of the Christmas short story series…
Last Sunday I posted a Christmas story from my collection Flights of Fancy – Father Christmas And I also extended an invitation to you, to share a fiction short story with a Christmas theme.
I would like to invite you to share your fiction here in December with one of your stories.
- I know how busy everyone is at this time of year, but perhaps you have a short story you have already published on your own blog and would like to share with another audience over here.
- I will leave the word count to you but as an approximation I would be happy with stories between 500 and 1,500 words…if longer then I am sure it will not be a problem.
- If you are an author I will also be delighted to share the link to buy your work on Amazon.
- Some of you are already in the Cafe and Bookstore and I have all your details, so no need to include again, but if you are new to the blog then I will need some information.
If you are already in the Cafe and Bookstore then please send the following to sally.cronin@moyhill.com:
- The link to your short story if already on your blog
- Or, your word document of your story.
If you are new to smorgasbord the please send the following to sally.cronin@moyhill.com:
- The link to your short story if already on your blog
- Or, your word document of your story
- Your amazon author page link for your books (so I can find your bio and book covers)
- Links to your blog and two other main social media links.
Look forward to hearing from you…
On with the other posts from the week.
Over the next four weeks, I am so pleased that William Price King will be a sharing a selection of Christmas music to get us into the festive spirit. The Lullay Song and What Child is This…
Christmas music with William Price King The Lullay Song
For any of us in the colder and wetter climates, a respite somewhere sunny is top of of most of our wish lists. Today three wonderful destinations where you will enjoy warm weather and an even warmer welcome from your hosts. I have selected islands where you can relax and even if it is for just two weeks, boost your tan and well-being before the real winter kicks in.
It is that time of year when we bring out the decorations and over here – The Cook from Scratch Christmas recipes... I look at the health benefits of the food.. and my friend Carol Taylor turns them into something delicious the whole family will love. This week the wonderful Brussel Sprouts.
Sally Cronin and Carol Taylor – Healthy and delicious Brussel Sprouts
If you are looking for a different kind of Christmas cookie this year then these Cantucci Biscotti from Silvia Todesco look amazing… and if memory serves me right, dipping them in your coffee or hot chocolate adds to their deliciousness…
Italian Cantucci Biscotti by Silvia Todesco
This week Mike Biles continues with his A-Z of Christmas starting with the Turkey through to Figgy Pudding.. more next week.
Mike Biles – A – Z of Christmas from Turkey dinner to Figgy Pudding
Delighted that Anne R. Allen accepted my invitation to be a guest during the run up to Christmas. As writers, we don’t always get the feedback we expect from family and friends, and Anne shares some of the ways it might sabotage our efforts.
Anne R. Allen explores how well intentioned loved ones can sabotage your writing career
Earlier in the year editor Sarah Calfee wrote a guest post on editing that I think is well worth sharing again as part of the Christmas Book Fair.
Demystifying the levels of Fiction Editing by Sarah Calfee
Being the first challenge of the month, Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 156 is left to our discretion as ‘Poet’s Choice’. I have written a double etheree – Happy Christmas
Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 156 – Happy Christmas
My response to this weeks Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills the prompt is ‘Key Lime Pie’.... and I hope you enjoy the ingredients in my story……
New Releases for Christmas
Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words by Sally Cronin
Supernatural Thriller Eventide – A Hodes Hill Novel Book 3 by Mae Clair
Post Apocalyptic – Blackthorn by Terry Tyler
Thriller – At the Seaside Nobody Hears you Scream by Janet Gogerty
Author updates
#Fantasy Julia Benally, #Drama Deborah A. Bowman, #Mystery Diana J. Febry, #Adventure Jacqui Murray
#Wardrama Marina Osipova, #Memoir Cynthia S. Reyes, #Thriller Gwen M Plano, #Poetry Frank Prem
#Romance Linda Bradley, #Drama Mary Crowley, #Adventure Audrey Driscoll, #Memoir Brigid Gallagher
#Review D.G. Kay, Olga Nunez and Interview Jane Risdon with Jennifer Ash
Robbie Cheadle with Frank Prem, #History Darlene Foster, #Chai and Chat Ritu Bhathal
#Spain Joy Lennick, USCitizen Liesbet Collaert, #Thistledown Teagan Geneviene
#Freebook James J. Cudney, #Reading Nicole Osmond, #Story Becky Ross Michael
#reading Nicholas Rossis #Afghanistan Mary Smith, #Writing Shelley Wilson and Owen Mullen
Laughter Lines with D.G. Kaye and Sally Cronin
Even more funnies from Debby Gies and Sally
Thank you so much for dropping in today and I hope you will join me again next week with more fun and games.. Sally.
I’d missed the Ringo video. What a day-brightener!
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Thanks Liz..xx
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Oh, I think that’s what our grand-dog Ginger needs! Lab, not yet a year old, never gets tired. Last summer anytime I was dragging the wading pool out for the grands, she would jump in (it was empty) and ride until I put it down in place. Then she would go crazy racing through the hose, pool, and backyard. Took out a few small children…LOL. Dogs are awesome!
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Sounds like you need a pond Angie lol.. They never stop going do they.. I think we will need to think carefully about size and breed before we get another dog..xxx
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She’s a great dog. But do think about breed and size before choosing a pet! Our favorite toy (besides water) is the chuck it stick and a ball. ALL the balls. xoxo
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ball oh yes.. still have some favourites we have hung on to for the last 11 years since we lost Sam.. He would be too big now and whatever dog we get will need to be waterproof with all the rain we have.. probably don’t need a pond…xxx
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Awwww. Such a lovely dog, Sam. Hugs!
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Super week, Sally. Thank you.
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Thank you John..hugs
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😊
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A terrific collection of stories, blogs, reviews and music…bravo!
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Thank you John.. appreciate that…x
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This was the perfect way to start the Holiday Season, Sally. Many thanks and so great to be a part of it. All the best to you. Hugs
William
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Thank you William for providing the music to get us in the festive mood.. hugs xx
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up December 1st to 7th – Christmas Music, Festive Brussel Sprouts, Italian Biscotti, Winter Sun and plenty of other Shenanigans! | Campbells World
I’ve sent you a Xmas story Sally.
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Thanks Janet.. will get to my emails in a bit…looking forward to reading..hugs
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Another packed week, Sally. Thanks so much for including me. I loved the film about Ringo the ‘water dog’ – he’s amazing.
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Always delighted to have you over Mary and he is amazing.. would fit in here very well…All the water he could possibly want right outside the front door…xxx
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Same here and now we have high winds to add to the awful weather mix.
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Getting worse I am afraid for us over the next two days but I will try to take some of the puff out of them before they head over to you..x
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Every day is a party of goodies here Sal. You know how to do the season. ❤ And always glad to be part of it. ❤
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It has come around so quickly but have to make the most of it..party time.. ♥♥
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Always! ❤ 🙂
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♥
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The Smorgasbord at its finest. Well done, as usual.
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Thank you Pete.. thank you for all the support during the week and for your lovely post which made mine much brighter..x
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Another jam-packed exciting week, Sally pleased your fence is now in place…I agree about the size of the dog although saying that our neighbour has a new smallish dog who loves Saangchai as much as he loves her and when the two of them get together it is like a whirlwind passing through nothing is safe everything goes flying …haha…I am now poping over to read the posts I missed..i.e.Debby’s being one of them…Pressed this for later …Hugs xxx
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Thanks Carol and for being a star in the show… my two sisters have a boxer and a staffie and they never stop play fighting and chasing each other around.. good fun.. thanks for sharing later..hugsx
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My pleasure 💕
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Gosh so much to browse and enjoy, thanks so much for including the interview Jennifer Ash gave to me. Appreciated. xx
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Thanks Jane…and delighted to share.. hope the week goes well..hugsxx
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Many thanks Sally, I am sure it will, and yours too. I had a lovely surprise, my piece in the Writing Magazine issue for Jan 2020 is in W H Smiths, sooner than I expected so that has cheered me no end. Have a fab weekend. xx
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Fantastic Jane.. great news.. and an early gift.. hugsx
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Thanks so much xx
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Reblogged this on Jane Risdon and commented:
You should check out Sally’s fab blog. Grab a beverage of choice, snuggle up in a cosy chair and enjoy all she has to offer…it is a fab way to spend some quiet time.
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Thanks very much Jane…you are a star..♥
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Call me twinkle 🙂
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will do…♥
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Reblogged this on Wilfred Books and commented:
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine weekly round-up.
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up December 1st to 7th – Christmas Music, Festive Brussel Sprouts, Italian Biscotti, Winter Sun and plenty of other Shenanigans! | Retired? No one told me!
I think I gained weight reading all the recipes! Thanks for my Sunday pick-me-up post, Sally. ❤
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Thanks Colleen.. and I know what you mean about the recipes.. ♥
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LOL! I was drooling a few times. 😀
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♥
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What a rich post, Sally, Thank you for all the fun links and stories. 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed Norah as much as I did having everyone over..hugsx
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🙂
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Thanks for all the fun and tasty links, too (I love Brussels sprouts)!
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Thanks Charli.. with you on the Brussels..hugs
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